Tariffs + War + Uncertainty = Volatility. What is Smart Money Doing During Stressful Times?⚡
While public markets react, Tack Capital, SpeedyMat, and Crest Surf Clubs are executing strategies that turn overlooked assets into operational and cash-flow wins.
War. Oil shock. Tariffs. Policy debates. Market volatility. The headlines are back.
Even as public markets react to every new development, disciplined operators across private markets stay focused on execution, building businesses and assets designed to perform through the cycle.
Today, we’re spotlighting companies innovating across real estate, community infrastructure, and experiential destinations.
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⚡ Major Market Movers Right Now
Middle East tensions create massive swings in oil: Conflict in Iran sent oil prices up, stoking global inflation fears and influencing central bank expectations.
China’s exports jump: China reported 21.8% YoY export growth, boosting demand signals despite ongoing geopolitical and tariff risks.
Mira Murati’s Thinking Machines Strikes Nvidia Chip Deal: Former OpenAI CTO’s startup inks a multibillion-dollar deal to deploy next-gen AI chips.
Yann LeCun Raises $1B for Physical-World AI: Meta/DeepMind alum launches AI to reason about the physical world.
Anthropic Sues Pentagon Over Blacklisting: Challenges AI blacklisting after refusing unrestricted military use.
Microsoft Launches Copilot Competitor to Claude: Launches Copilot Cowork, competing directly with Anthropic’s AI platform.
Tack Capital – Sub-Institutional Multifamily with Built-In Income
The Southeast faces a persistent housing shortage, and many multifamily owners operate inefficiently, leaving value on the table.
Tack Capital acquires underperforming assets and executes targeted renovations, professional management, and rent optimization to improve tenant experience and property performance. By focusing on sub-$25M assets overlooked by institutional investors, Tack applies operational discipline where it matters most.
Key Highlights:
8 acquisitions completed since 2021; first exit returned ~1.9x MOIC (historical)
Generates tax-efficient, quarterly cash flow with potential long-term equity upside
Focused on markets and properties where operational execution drives outsized value
Company LinkedIn | Meet Tucker Thompson LinkedIn) | Schedule an Intro Call
SpeedyMat Laundry – Modernizing a Fragmented, Recession-Resistant Industry
The laundromat sector is fragmented, with outdated facilities and little consistency or brand recognition.
SpeedyMat builds technology-enabled, branded laundromats designed for operational efficiency, energy savings, and customer convenience. Using a platform approach, the company modernizes the industry while creating predictable, cash-flowing operations.
Key Highlights:
Targeting 18–22% net IRR and 2.5–3x equity multiples (illustrative) in the underserved Phoenix market
Led by Jeffrey Fleischer, with $4B+ in career CRE transaction experience
Platform model scales multiple locations efficiently, replacing outdated facilities with modern, customer-focused operations
One Pager | Investment Deck | Company LinkedIn | Meet Jeff Fleischer (LinkedIn) | Schedule an Intro Call
Crest Surf Clubs – Premium, Members-Only Surfing Anywhere
High-quality, consistent surfing is scarce in most U.S. metros, leaving millions of active adults underserved.
Crest Surf Clubs delivers year-round, customizable waves through proprietary pneumatic technology and pairs it with a premium private-club experience. The vertically integrated model combines wave engineering, real estate development, and recurring memberships to create predictable, operationally-driven revenue.
Key Highlights:
Flagship Long Island site over 50% pre-subscribed; initiation fees cover 80% of project costs
Patent-pending wave technology generates 120+ customizable waves/hour, establishing a defensible IP moat
Building the first national surf club platform combining recurring membership revenue with real estate and experiential value
Investment Deck | Company LinkedIn | Meet Brett Portera (LinkedIn) | Schedule an Intro Call
🌊 Your ThinkFISH Edge
Headlines move fast, but real value is built through execution, not reaction.
Tack Capital, SpeedyMat, and Crest Surf Clubs show how operational rigor in private markets can deliver income, growth, and leverage, far from the spotlight.
Partner with us: We help founders reach ~84,000 angels, VCs, family offices, entrepreneurs, and tech leaders. → Schedule a 1:1 Discovery Call
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Disclaimer: This newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or an offer to buy or sell securities. Private investments carry risk, are illiquid, and are intended for accredited investors only. Investments involve the potential loss of principal. Returns, quarterly distributions, and IRRs are estimates and not guaranteed. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always perform your own due diligence before making any investment decisions.